Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

- 8 Cylinder Engines (https://www.f150forum.com/f87/)

- - 5.0 replacement (https://www.f150forum.com/f87/5-0-replacement-441588/)

I'm the original owner of a 1989 F150 with a factory 5.0 and a 5 speed trans. After 225,000 miles, she's getting tired. So, I'm thinking about replacing my factory 5.0 with a Blueprint 5.0 HO from Summit Racing with a roller cam. I understand that this long block will be a different firing order than the factory 5.0 so I'm going to replace my intake manifold with an Edelbrock Performer, change my distributor to an MSD and replace my fuel injection and ECM with a Holley Sniper or a Fitech throttle body EFI. Has anyone done this? If so, how did it go?

I never hot-rodded an F150 but I used to play with the old Fox Mustangs... Another option would be to source an ECM from a 351 truck. That would maintain the 302 HO firing order for more cam options. I'm sure there are roller cams out there for the 302 truck motors that will maintain the original firing order no? I built a stock replacement 5.0. for my 93 Bronco when it was at 297K. I could turn the crank by hand torquing on the pulley. Needless to say it was tired too lol.

I don't see much if any gains to be had in the items in your paragraph from Edlebrock on down. The different intake and distributor are items that really shine above 5000 rpms. Seems like swapping to different fuel injection would be a technical challenge. Moving to the HO firing order is a simple wire reroute and then your system is bank fire injection so the fuel will be fine. Whatever engine you choose the specific cam being used really has to be looked at. You want one built to operate from idle to 6000 rpm and be specific for a truck not a mustang. If you don't select the proper cam the truck will drive on the street like crap, not idle well, die, stall ect. Common mistake is to pick a Comp Cam with a operating range of 1200 to 6000 rpm and can't figure why it won't idle well at 800. The cam is only meant to run below 1200 when pulling up to the race start line.
What I'm saying is a good solid roller motor with a decent cam choice will make a great driver. Maybe add some headers and an open air intake. If the goal is to build a race truck then it might pay to look at the original plan.

I'm just trying to increase power with my rebuild. For the 30 years that I've owned this truck, it's been very reliable but under powered. The reason that I am considering changing my intake, ignition and EFI is because of the firing order mismatch that will occur between a 5.0 HO roller and my factory EFI. I've never seen a truck with this mismatch and don't know how well it will run. Does your truck have this firing order mismatch? Did you reroute any fuel injectors? Concerning the cam, I understand what you are saying. I'm trying to buy an assembled long block so I will have a warranty. The 2 assembled long blocks that I've found so far that seem like a good fit for my truck are a stock rebuild for my truck and a stock rebuild for an 89 Mustang. I may be wrong but I think the stock rebuild for a 89 Mustang would be a better choice for me. With a factory spec cam it should be a reliable daily driver and and provide the additional power I'm looking for. What do you think?

Google search "batch fire ho project" the author does a good job explaining the same thing you're working with. Come back with some questions after you read that.

Have to ignore the arguments and focus on the explanation of the injection. The cam is covered somewhat but really you need to stick with a grind for a truck not a mustang. The truck cam will make power right off idle, the mustang cam makes the power higher in the rpm range. You could order a stock rebuild for a 95 F150, that would give you the roller HO truck cam.

Thanks for directing me to an informative, intelligent and entertaining thread. However, I was disappointed that nobody involved in the thread had actually done what they were discussing. I sure would like to hear from someone who is running this firing order mismatch. The cam info was very useful! At least now I know the specs of a suitable cam. I think I will take your advice and see what I can find in an assembled long block for a 95 F-150.

It's only four cylinders that fire different between the two firing orders. Fuel injection pigtails are sold inexpensively aftermarket and it would not be that hard to open up the injection harness and modify to the HO firing order. You'll look back thinking how simple the transition was.
Cheers